Minister of Agriculture and Forestry Prof. Dr. In his statement at the Alum Institute, Vahit Kirişci pointed out the importance of food safety and stated that the Ministry's work in this area continues.
Kirişci said that in the last 20 years, with the contribution of the support provided, the cattle stock increased by 72 percent to 17 million heads, and the small ruminant stock increased by 76 percent to 56,3 million heads, and said that they aimed to expand the productivity in cattle and the size of the herd with the work carried out.
Kirişci stated that they continue their effective protection and fight against animal diseases, and in this context, preventive medicine activities, diagnosis and vaccine production activities are carried out.
Saying that foot and mouth disease seen in Turkey recently is a viral disease of double-hoofed animals such as cattle, sheep and goats, Kirişci said that the rate of transmission of the disease is high and that the disease can cause serious economic losses if precautions are not taken.
Pointing out that there are 7 serotypes of the virus and each of them can cause disease, Kirişci stated that the short duration of immunity against the disease makes it difficult to fight.
Kirişci said that the SAT-2023 serotype was detected for the first time on February 2, 3 in the samples sent from Iraq in Turkey in January 2023.
“In case of possible entry into our country, vaccine production studies were immediately started by our FMD Institute and the SAT-2 vaccine was produced in a short period of 37 days. Our Institute's knowledge and experience in vaccine production has had a great impact on this success. SAT-2 was first seen in a border province, and we immediately intervened with the vaccines we produced and prevented the spread of the disease in our country. All of our animal assets will be vaccinated. The vaccination process will be finished by the end of April.”
“WE HAVE TRANSFERRED 9,5 MILLION VACCINES TO THE FIELD”
Noting that vaccine production continues uninterrupted, Kirişci said, “Today, 12 million vaccines will have been produced by the evening. We have shipped 9,5 million of this to the field. 9,5 million vaccines sent to the field are made to our animals. As of today, the number of vaccinated animals will have reached 4,5 million. Vaccine production, shipment and vaccination studies to combat SAT-2 stereotype will continue intensively until all animals that need to be vaccinated are completed. Our country does not have a problem in the supply of vaccines.” used the phrases.
Saying that there is a demand for the vaccine produced from neighboring countries, Kirişci said, “Peace be to our citizens. Whatever is needed is done. The disease does not cause any disease in humans.” said.
Reminding that animal movements, except for slaughter, import and export, are prohibited in the country due to the disease, Kirişci stated that these restrictions will be lifted when the disease is brought under control.